Seasonal Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Options

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are usually caused by outdoor allergens and happen when your immune system overreacts to harmless airborne particles such as pollen from grass, trees, and flowers.

Even though they are not dangerous for you, seasonal allergies can be uncomfortable and disrupt your daily life, particularly in spring and summer when the pollen count is high.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergies might present in many ways, with standard signs, including:

• Persistent sneezing
• Itchy or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Runny or blocked nose (nasal congestion)
• Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat, causing a cough or sore throat)
• Allergy-induced fatigue (feeling tired due to the immune system working overtime)
• Irritability (especially with prolonged symptoms)
  These signs occur because your body perceives airborne allergens, such as mould or pollen, as threats. In response, your immune system releases chemicals like histamine, triggering inflammation in the eyes, nose, and throat and leading to familiar allergy symptoms.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies are caused by:

Spring

In the UK, spring brings a wave of allergies, mainly from high levels of tree pollen in the air. Trees like birch, oak, ash, and alder can start releasing pollen as early as March, triggering allergic reactions in many people.

If you are sensitive to tree pollen, a short walk in the park could trigger sneezing and nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Since tree pollen is light and easily carried by the wind, it spreads widely and is hard to avoid in spring.

Summer

In the UK, summer allergies are mainly caused by grass pollen, which triggers hay fever most often. Grass pollen peaks from May to July and affects many people nationwide. It causes typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, a blocked nose, mucus drainage, and itchy, watery eyes. For some, it might lead to wheezing or worsen asthma. Grass pollen is highest on warm, dry, windy days, so take care if you are going out in summer.

Autumn

Although less common in the UK than in places like North America, ragweed pollen can still be bothersome in the autumn season. Active from late August to October, ragweed releases fine, airborne pollen that travels far and can trigger allergic rhinitis symptoms. In addition to ragweed, mould spores from decaying vegetation and damp leaves are another autumn allergen to watch out for, especially in wetter months.

Winter 

While pollen levels drop in winter, some allergies persist, especially indoors. As you stay indoors with windows shut, you will be more exposed to dust mites and mould spores (particularly in damp areas such as bathrooms or poorly ventilated rooms). Dust mites and mould spores cause similar reactions. For some, these indoor allergens can lead to allergy-induced fatigue, making winter as challenging as the pollen seasons.

How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of seasonal allergies is often straightforward and involves a combination of allergy testing and symptom tracking. This consists of keeping a record of when your symptoms appear and what triggers them—such as the season or a specific environment. This will help you identify patterns.

Symptoms that occur following exposure to a known causative allergen, such as:

• Tree pollens— symptoms occur from early to late spring.
• Grass pollen— symptoms occur from late spring to early summer.
• Weed pollen— symptoms may occur from early spring to early autumn.
• House dust mites— symptoms are worse upon waking and are present all year-round, but may peak in autumn and spring.
• Animal dander— symptoms follow exposure to animal dander, and may be all year-round or occasional, depending on exposure.
• Occupational—intermittent or chronic symptoms tend to improve when the person is away from work, such as on weekends and holidays.

To learn more, your doctor might recommend a skin prick test, which involves placing tiny amounts of allergens on your skin to see if you have an allergic reaction.

In some cases, blood tests are recommended to check how your immune system responds to specific allergens. These tests and methods determine what you are allergic to and guide the right treatment approach.

How to Prevent and Treat Allergies:

• Try to keep windows shut when pollen is high, usually in the morning between 7 am and 9 am and in the evening between 5 pm and 7 pm.
  
  
• Nasal irrigation: washing away excess mucus, along with any allergens or irritants, helps reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. Also, when you get in from outside, wash your hands, face, hair, rinse your eyes and change your clothes.
  
  
• If you go outside, wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from pollen and a mask to filter out airborne allergens. When you come back, change your clothes and shower quickly to remove pollen that might have lingered on your skin and hair, reducing the risk of an allergic reaction.
  
  
• On days with a high pollen count, it is best to stay indoors, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Keep your windows shut and use air conditioning with a clean filter to keep pollen out of your home.
  
  
• Do not dry clothes outside to avoid pollen sticking to your clothes.
• Wash bedding regularly at 60 °C and above to kill house dust mites.
• Use allergen barrier covers for your mattress, pillows and duvets.
  
  
• Ventilate throughout the house, including opening air vents, as mould flourishes in humid/damp environments, especially in dark, wet, hard-to-reach areas.
  
  
• Thoroughly clean your kitchen, bathroom, and utility room (these are favourite places for mould due to the steam and humidity from cooking and bathing), then ventilate these areas, remembering that mould may build up behind units and appliances and may not be immediately visible.
  
  
• Running an air purifier continuously as per the manufacturer’s instructions can help reduce or remove airborne allergens such as house dust mites, mould spores, animal dander, and smoke.

Medications

Medications offer quick relief for people with seasonal allergies. One of the most popular options is non-drowsy antihistamines, which block histamine that triggers allergy symptoms such as itching and nasal congestion without causing drowsiness, unlike older antihistamines (also called first-generation antihistamines).

These medications are available over the counter as a nasal spray, liquid, or tablet, so you can choose what works best for you.

Additionally, nasal corticosteroids are an effective treatment for reducing inflammation. For severe cases, decongestants or prescription treatments may be crucial. Consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate and safe medications for you, especially if you have other health conditions.

 When to See a Doctor?

You must consult your doctor if:

• Your seasonal allergy symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks despite using OTC treatment.
• You notice 'red flag' symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness, as these may indicate a more severe allergic reaction or asthma.
• Antihistamines or home remedies do not offer sufficient relief.

In these situations, your doctor may recommend more advanced treatments such as prescription corticosteroids or immunotherapy (allergy shots), which help control severe symptoms, build long-term immunity to allergens, and improve your quality of life.

Are allergies worse in the morning?

Allergies can be worse in the morning due to higher pollen levels, especially in spring and summer. Overnight, pollen may settle in your bedroom, and as you wake up, you breathe in these allergens, triggering symptoms such as congestion and sneezing.

Can allergies cause headaches?

Allergies can cause headaches, especially when nasal congestion leads to sinus pressure. When the sinuses become inflamed due to allergens such as dust or pollen, this can lead to sinus headaches, often accompanied by a stuffy nose and facial pain.

Can you develop allergies as an adult?

You can develop allergies as an adult, even if you have never had them before. This happens when your immune system first reacts to specific allergens, such as dust, pet dander, or pollen, triggering symptoms like itchy eyes, congestion, or sneezing.

What can I do if my seasonal allergies don’t get better?

For many people, avoiding allergens and taking over-the-counter medications is sufficient to alleviate symptoms. However, if your seasonal allergies persist, other treatments are available.

If you have severe seasonal allergies, your doctor may advise you to have skin or blood tests to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms. Testing can help you decide what steps you need to take to avoid your specific triggers and which treatments are most likely to work for you.

Allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) may be a good option for some people. This treatment, also known as desensitisation, involves regular injections of tiny amounts of the substances that cause your allergies. These injections gradually reduce the immune system's reaction that causes symptoms. Some allergies can be treated with tablets taken under the tongue.

Authored by:

• Mr Suhail Jamil
• Superintendent Pharmacist
• GPhC Number: 2069518